Recreation Park (Detroit)

Recreation Park was a baseball park located in Detroit, Michigan, that served as the home of the Detroit Wolverines of the National League from 1881 to June 1888, and the Detroit Tigers of the National League in 1886. It was situated on the block bounded by Brady Street (north, originally located where Antoinette Street would later be built), Brush Street (east), Beaubien Street (west), and the alley between Brady and Watson Streets (south).

The park's construction followed the establishment of the Detroit Wolverines in 1881. It was a fairly basic ballpark with a wooden grandstand and initially had a large outfield. As the city grew, the park became hemmed in by development, leading to a relatively small outfield for the era. This necessitated ground rules, particularly regarding balls hit over fences being ruled as doubles.

While primarily a baseball venue, Recreation Park also hosted other events, including circuses and political rallies. Its location near the center of Detroit made it a popular destination for the city's residents.

The Wolverines enjoyed a period of success at Recreation Park, culminating in a World Series championship in 1887. However, the team struggled financially and was sold after the 1888 season. The Tigers of the National League only played there for one season, 1886, before relocating.

Following the departure of the major league teams, Recreation Park continued to be used for amateur and semi-professional baseball for a time. Eventually, the land was redeveloped, and the park was replaced by residential and commercial buildings. There are no physical remnants of Recreation Park remaining at the site today.